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Continuing Steps - networking and communication

Consortia can play a vital role in promoting the exchange of good practice within the sector and between the VCS and statutory bodies.

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• Facilitate networking

• Communication

Facilitate networking

Networking can be a tool for VCOs in learning how to do things better, avoid duplication and reinventing the wheel. By bringing together groups of practitioners, Consortia can encourage an information exchange on what has worked, how challenges have been overcome and how skills and resources might be shared. Examples of this could be encouraging reciprocal training, joining together organisations who have similar training needs so they are able to share the costs of bringing in external trainers, or simply to encourage practitioners to tell others of how they might have approached developing an accredited training package.

> Case Study: Learning Curve - networks

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Communication

A central function of many Consortia is to gather information about learning opportunities relevant to VCOs within their area of operation and disseminate that information to all VCOs. Having a central portal for information on learning opportunities can undoubtedly save time for VCOs who then wont need to have to find the often-dispersed information themselves. It is also valuable for providers, who can feed in their learning opportunities to be advertised in one place, as opposed to trying to advertise through a number of channels.

> Case Study: HLC Communications Strategy

In addition to providing information on learning opportunities, tools such as websites and newsletters, are often used by Consortia to fulfil some of their other dissemination needs. Examples might include information on consultation processes, funding opportunities and examples of practice that might be usefully shared across a wide range of organisations.

They are a source of expertise, and hold an overview of learning and development activities and needs within the VCS. This in turn enables Consortia to continually inform others such as Local Authorities and LSC, as well as provide a means for those bodies to communicate with the VCS.
> Influencing and lobbying.

[What are Consortia]
[Why are they important?]
[Getting Started]
[Developing Consortia]
[Next Steps]
[Roles and functions]
[Continuing Steps]
[Continuous Steps]
[Helps and Hindances]